On October 14, 2019, Mr. Lawaron Saengsanit, Director of the Office of Economic Affairs (OEA), stated that the Ministry of Finance is currently collecting data during the long holiday of the end of Buddhist Lent. It was found that many tourists are spending under the 'Chim Shop Chai' initiative, leading to a significant increase in sales for restaurants and small shops in provincial areas, especially in major tourist destinations. Small businesses are reporting daily sales ranging from 5,000 to tens of thousands of baht, such as in tourist spots around Pak Chong district in Phetchabun, Chiang Mai, and Chiang Rai, where the weather is cool and pleasant. As a result, tourism-related spending from the 'Chim Shop Chai' program has increased, allowing money to flow into the provinces.  

          “The Ministry of Finance wants to assess the spending data to support those who did not utilize the 1,000 baht in Wallet 1 during the first 14 days and those who could not verify their identity. We will consider how to allow these groups to use their rights in the second phase of the 'Chim Shop Chai' program,” Mr. Lawaron said.

          As of October 11, 2019, total spending reached 6.229 billion baht, with 6.163 billion baht from Wallet 1 and 65.8 million baht from Wallet 2. It is expected that spending during the long holiday will significantly increase as more people top up Wallet 2, leading to more money circulating in the provinces.

          Mr. Chankrit Dechwithak, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister (working at the Ministry of Finance), expressed great satisfaction with the public's enthusiasm for domestic tourism and the positive response to the 'Chim Shop Chai' initiative. He noted a significant decrease in vehicle traffic in Bangkok and received reports from major tourist provinces and secondary tourist destinations that tourists are actively seeking out shops and community enterprises participating in the 'Chim Shop Chai' program to spend using Wallet 1 and Wallet 2. He is confident that the money spent by the public during this long holiday will effectively drive the country's grassroots economy.

          After advising large retail stores to cease exchanging coupons for payment, the Ministry of Finance stated that if this practice continues, it would have to terminate the participation in the program by immediately revoking the rights to use the private sector's 'Digital Wallet' application. Recently, Tesco Lotus issued a public statement to customers that, in support of government policy and to prevent confusion in the payment system, it will stop issuing cash vouchers, allowing customers to use their rights only through the government's 'Pao Tang' application.

          Mr. Phumisak Aranyakeamsuk, Director-General of the Comptroller General's Department, revealed that in the latest registration for the 'Chim Shop Chai' initiative, as of October 11, 2019, it was found that 199,660 individuals who registered for Wallet G-Wallet 1 (1,000 baht spending) on the first day (September 23, 2019), which could be used from September 27 to October 11, did not utilize their rights and had their rights revoked. He urged remaining eligible individuals to activate their G-Wallet 1 rights by the specified date to maintain their rights for spending until the program ends on November 30. In cases where individuals used their G-Wallet 2 rights within 14 days but did not use their G-Wallet 1 rights, even if G-Wallet 1 rights are suspended, rights in G-Wallet 2 can still be topped up and used until November 30, 2019.

          Regarding the transfer of funds for goods and services to participating shops in the 'Chim Shop Chai' initiative, the Comptroller General's Department has already transferred a total of 6.2292 billion baht to the shops, with 6.1634 billion baht for shops eligible from G-Wallet 1 (1,000 baht spending in registered provinces) and 65.8 million baht for shops eligible from G-Wallet 2 (top-up spending in provinces outside of registered residence to receive a 15% cashback). When categorized, spending includes 819.2 million baht for 'Chim', 3,576.5 million baht for 'Shop', 80.4 million baht for 'Use', and 1,752.9 million baht for general shops (as of October 11, 2019).

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